Fundamental institute of Black Africa
The fundamental Institut of Black Africa (IFAN) of Dakar (Senegal) succeeded in 1966 the French Institut of Black Africa, while preserving the same initials.
History
Theodore Monod wants to create an research institute concerning all specificities of the Black Africa, Africa sub-sahélienne. In 1939, the war which bursts slows down the projects of this researcher who wants to install besides in all the areas of Africa under French control of the similar institutes. Theodore Monod becomes the president of France fighting in Senegal, and founds there, in 1943, the French Forces fraternitaires, a “resistance movement local”. He accommodates the Général de Gaulle at the time of his first visit in West Africa in January 1944.After the war the IFAN is started again. It comprises three departments: Natural science, Social sciences and Geography (department charged to carry out the international Atlas of West Africa ). The IFAN ensures of the scientific publications, a periodical, the Bulletin of the IFAN , creates two museums with Gorée, the Museum of the sea and the Maison of the Slaves, and organizes conferences joining together all both or three years the whole of the researchers of the Western Africa.
Theodore Monod is elected with the Academy of Science in 1963 and decides to leave the IFAN. Director of the department Islam of the IFAN since 1959, Vincent Monteil, disciple of Louis Massignon, succeeds to him.
After the independence of the African countries, the IFAN is integrated, in 1963, with the Université of Dakar. Into 1966 it changes name while preserving its initials to become the fundamental Institute of Black Africa. Into 1986, into homage to the professor Sheik Anta Diop recently disappeared, its denomination is transformed into fundamental Institute of Africa black-Sheik Anta Diop.
Organization
Dr. Papa Ndiaye is since December 28th 2004 the director of the IFAN, for a three years mandate. He was in charge of search for animal biology/reproduction of fish with the IFAN since 2000.